TED is taking its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’ll post some of our favorite talks from the TEDTalks archive, arranged into playlists.

Today’s playlist is about way-new architecture — using organic forms and living, growing materials to bring fresh life into the buildings, homes and infrastructure we occupy. Magnus Larsson, for instance, has a bold plan to build in the Sahara desert sands using living bacteria:

Bjarke Ingels’ buildings not only look like nature — they act like nature: blocking the wind, collecting solar energy …

In 2002, IDEO’s David Kelley asked designers to focus on the human experience of design — rather than on simply making the next shiny gadget:

Rachel Armstrong gives a first glimpse at new, living building materials — barely understood now — that could one day allow buildings to grow organically:

You tell us: What are your favorite architecture stories in the TEDTalks archive? Add your suggestions for this playlist to the comments below, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: ARCHITECTURE. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)

Architect Shigeru Ban uses paper tubes to build temporary, ecologically sustainable structures. These geometrically complex structures can be big and impressive — like a concave complex built for Expo 2000 in Germany — or small and functional, like the half-pipe office Ban built for himself atop the Pompadou Center in Paris. No matter their size […]

TED’s on its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’re posting new playlists from the TEDTalks archive. Today’s playlist is about the human body, with speakers who give new meaning to our inner workings. What do enzymes and chromosomes have to do with art, and how can a stroke project beauty? Watch Pilobolus stretch (literally) […]